He was the only Division I player to average at least 20 points and 10 rebounds. Throw him the ball and its like hes Clifford Franklin of the movie The Replacements with stick-em on his hands. Get the latest news, stats, videos, highlights and more about center Kofi Cockburn on ESPN. Without NIL, Kofi would be gone, playing in the G League or Europe. Hard doubling the ball handler, showing a double but then getting back to the roller to slow down the ball handler, playing up near the screen to try to slow down the ball handler as they turn the corner to name a few, or as Kofi must do, drop coverage. A center isnt a pressing need in Chicago, but Nikola Vucevics defensive liability in the paint is noticeable. The problem I see for Kofi Cockburn is I dont think he is overly athletic compared to most around the rim centers and that hurts his draft stock. Cockburn, a 7-foot center, declared for the draft after his junior season at Illinois. May 23, 2022 5:47 pm ET Former Illinois center Kofi Cockburn was among the draft-eligible prospects to work out with the Atlanta Hawks on Monday, the team announced. 5 centers the Bulls could consider taking in the 2022 Draft Sam Smith May 18, 2022 12:49 PM CDT The Orlando Magic won Tuesday's NBA lottery for the rights to the No. Liddell and Duane Washington will have the opportunity to impress scouts at the NBA G League Elite Camp this weekend. Top prospects not selected in 2022 NBA Draft: Scotty Pippen Jr., Kofi Cockburn among notable snubs There were some well-known names that were not called during Thursday's NBA Draft By. Illinois junior Kofi Cockburn will enter the 2022 NBA draft and forgo his remaining college eligibility. Kofi Cockburn starred at Illinois, earning two All-American nods with the Fighting Illini. Kofi Cockburn declares for 2022 NBA Draft: Illinois star big man forgoing remaining eligibility to enter pros Cockburn is putting two toes into his pursuit of a professional career. Banchero exploded for 16 points alone in the third quarter to lead the Magic to a win over the Hornets. Banchero was the No. But hes determined to get started, and he believes his game translates to the next level. If he can take his athleticism up one more notch, watch out! 4 ranked prospect in his class but . He is the author of "100 Things Thunder Fans Should Know And Do Before They Die." NBA.com is part of Warner Media, LLCs Turner Sports & Entertainment Digital Network, *Translations are limited to select pages, Carrying a huge burden on the block, Cockburn ranks among the highest volume back to the basket threats at the high-major level in recent history. Kofi is an old school big man who acts as an enforcer inside. 2022 NBA Draft Big Board 3.0: Ranking the top 101 prospects before March Madness . pic.twitter.com/yGmCisdwj5, Darnell Mayberry (@DarnellMayberry) May 20, 2022. I think that if I leave (school) now I put myself in a great position to be successful for a longer time and be able to get a head start. Months of preparation that included the NBA Draft Combine and multiple pre-draft workouts with teams such as the Charlotte Hornets, Atlanta Hawks, Utah Jazz, and. It was in his freshman season. Allowing. DraftKings operates pursuant to an Operating Agreement with iGaming Ontario. NHL. But a snub is a snub and we must put them on wax to remember those who, despite pre-draft expectations, leave a post-draft world having been excluded from the 58 draft night announcements. Oklahoma City Thunder: Paolo Banchero, Duke. We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. While not hearing his name called last night was disappointing, it likely gives Cockburn a healthy chip on his shoulder as he heads off to training in Utah. He knows Im a leader, and he knows Im vocal. One of the teams that worked out Kofi was the Washington Wizards. Call 1-800-GAMBLER (PA/OH) or 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). However, hes been a fun player to watch and four years of Kofi Cockburn at Illinois would be really good for Illinois basketball. With the 2022 NBA Draft officially in the books and all 58 of this year's selections made, there are many -- many! Illini fans will remember Nnanna Egwu and his subpar hands and catching ability. The draft sequence was created using the standings entering Monday, Jan. 10. 21 Northwestern. Illinois junior Kofi Cockburn on Wednesday announced he will hire an agent and declare for the 2022 NBA draft, forgoing his remaining collegiate eligibility.. Cockburn, who was a consensus All-American, averaged 20.9 points, 10.6 rebounds and one blocked shot in 28 games. For Illinois, it's a crushing loss to a team that was already set to turn over quite a bit of its roster this offseason. This time, however, there's no turning back. Cockburn is a dominant big man who stepped all over the Big Ten for three years. We break down Illinois C Kofi Cockburn with a scouting report and outlook heading into the 2022 NBA Draft. Think about when the ball handler is double teamed. This is a ranking (not a 'mock-draft'). Show Showing 1 to 33 of 99 entries Previous Next 3,237 total views, 1 views today 2023 NBA Draft Board NBA Pre-Draft Rankings 2023 NBA Draft Board By MIP Scouting Jovic skipped his final exam to prepare for the NBA draft and still needs to take it. Still, a 6'7" ball-handler averaging 18.2 points, 8.7 boards and 3.3 assists deserves attention. He is a SLEEPER! Win Shares. PER. Off Win Shares. Cockburn declared for the 2022 NBA draft but went undrafted. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. I dont think anybodys able to stop me from getting a rebound or getting an extra possession if I want to. He establishes position well and throws his weight around in the paint. Maybe more so a dream for Illini Fans, but the pair of Ayo Dosunmu and Kofi Cockburn would be an excellent source of advertising for the Bulls. STAT WEAKNESSES. An Exhibit 10 contract in the NBA is a one-year, minimum-salary contract that is essentially unguaranteed, allowing for the player to be cut by the team or signed to a larger contract down the line. If he plays and develops in the G League, its possible he finds his way into the NBA and plays rotation back up big minutes in the regular season for a few seasons, but the upside for Kofi Cockburn in the NBA isnt there. Follow Darnell on Twitter @DarnellMayberry. He signed a one-year deal with the Niigata Albirex BB in the . He doesnt have any illusions about his professional arc mirroring his success in college. These teams should give a look at Kofi Cockburn in the 2022 NBA Draft. Kofi Cockburn is one of the most physically imposing players in the sport standing 7-feet tall and weighing almost 300 pounds and made the most of it as a junior at Illinois on the way to All-American honors. A defensive player cannot be in the paint for longer than 3 seconds, unless they are actively guarding someone. He attempted only one 3-pointer throughout his three seasons in college. Hes got good feet for his size but doesnt project as a very switchable big and will struggle to contain wings and guards at the next level. The 2022 NBA Draft order has been set and the list of eligible players is officially locked in. I know, I know, there are going to be people who read this first line and think that I am crazy. Sharing Your Mock Draft. The help defenders are more athletic. A ferocious rebounder who looks to tear the rim off the backboard any chance he gets as a finisher, Cockburn scored a terrific. My goal has been to go to the NBA for a very long time, he said. 12 min read. Players with a similar height and weight as Kofi include Jusuf Nurkic 290lb, Nikola Jokic 284lb, Brook and Robin Lopez 281lb, Joel Embiid 280lb, and Andre Drummond 279lb. Cockburns size is a factor around the rim defensively even if he does not block a lot of shots. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. How much can he improve his stock in the college game with the difficulty set to easy? New Samsung. He would likely sign on with a team and play in the G League. Off Box +/-Def Rebounds. Cockburn is ready for his turn. The 2022 NBA Draft is over. Cockburn is the fifth of the Illini's top seven scorers from last year set to either transfer, graduate or go pro, joining the likes of Andre Curbelo and Alfonso Plummer. 2022 NBA Draft scouting report for Illinois C Kofi Cockburn, Tennessee Tech forces OT in OVC championship game [VIDEO]. C | Metropolitans 92. At the bare minimum, Cockburn could be a developmental center that eventually will be in charge of handling all of the paint and rebounding duties. James Harden, Rockets Serious About Reunion; Sixers Currently 'Unconcerned' Ja Morant Accused Of Threatening, Violent Behavior In Multiple Off-Court Incidents Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports The NBA Draft is. (LogOut/ A ferocious rebounder who looks to tear the rim off the backboard any chance he gets as a finisher, Cockburn scored a terrific 1.37 points per shot around the rim in the half court [89th percentile]. The reality for Cockburn is hes betting on himself, potentially passing on seven figures in name, image and likeness money now available at the collegiate level to pursue a dream that could begin on a bumpy path. I agree to receive the "CBS Sports HQ Newsletter" and marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers), and other information from CBS Sports and the Paramount family of companies. What Im watching for in Kofi is improvement in defensive mobility and then on offense its whats his second skill going to be. First Round : Second Round : 1. March Madness is here, which means NBA scouts and executives get a concentrated look at how many of the top prospects perform on an elevated stage. Please check your email for a confirmation. Its going to be difficult for him having to defend in space in the NBA against better talent. I dont want it to be misconstrued when reading this next paragraph because Kofi has improved and has feel and touch around the basket. He has good hands. With a month remaining in the 2021-22 NBA season, most teams in the league are focused on the present, at least to some degree. "To play in the NBA has been a longtime dream of mine and I truly think it's time for me to take that next step," he said on Twitter. In his interview, he gushed at the thought of being reunited with. 2023 Mock Draft; 2024 Mock Draft; Consensus Mock Draft; My Mock Drafts; Create Your Own Mock Draft; . (((data via nba.com))). THIS MONTH. If I go back to school, thats one more year of delaying my improvement to the next level. Like I said earlier, I wouldnt put a price on my dream. By James Kim, Assistant Sports Editor June 23, 2022. Yet with a beaming smile and seemingly boundless joy, Cockburn countered with unwavering commitment. College Basketball is getting into its stretch run of the regular season. 2022 looks like another strong draft class with depth through the second round . Highlights: Illinois' Kofi Cockburn Declares for the 2022 NBA Draft | Big Ten In the NBA Draft Watch on Granted, in the second round teams should be taking riskier picks with high. 6-keys: media/spln/nba/reg/free/stories, By pressing sign up, I confirm that I have read and agree to the. The roller will stop at the free throw line to become an outlet or safety valve for the ball handler to pass to. Like all of these teams, Cockburn would be in a developmental or backup role, but he could have the potential to thrive down the line in San Antonio. Looking a little more spry as his frame improved away from the rim, Cockburn nonetheless remains dramatically more comfortable guarding inside than chasing opposing big men outside of the paint.